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MONTEREY 



THE MOUNTAIN CITY: 

CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THE 

JOUNDARIES, SITUATION, MOUNTAINS, LAKES, RIVERS, SOIL 
,ND CLIMATE, GEOLOGICAL FEATURES, NATURAL SCENERY, 
RELIGIOUS, MORAL, AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS, NUM- 
BER OF INHABITANTS AND OF PROFESSIONAL MEN, 
AND MANUFACTURING RESOURCES 

OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE 

OUNTY OF WALDO, MAINE; 



TO WHICH IS ADDED AN APPENDIX, 

GIVING A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF SOME OF THE 

SLANDS OF PENOBSCOT BAY 



BY M. DAKIN, M. D. 



BOSTON: 

MEAD'S PRESS, 4 STATE STREET 

18 4 7. 






* 



Entered nccording to Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and 
forty-seven, by Moses Dakin, M. D., in the Clerk's Office of the District 
Court of Massachusetts. 






PREFACE 



The following pages were written in great haste, 
while the author was preparing for a journey to visit 
his relatives and friends in Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire. He regrets, as much as any one can, that 
the subject has not fallen into abler hands. 

Some apology is, perhaps, due, on account of the 
names which have been applied to mountains, hills, 
lakes, rivers, villages, &c. These all have an allusion 
to some object, or event connected with those places, 
but cannot, at this time, be explained. Should life and 
health be continued, something may be said on this 
subject at some future time. 

It may be thought by some, that the observations 
;, relative to water power and manufacturing advantages, 
have been exaggerated. These are based on a series 
of observations, which have been continued for more 
than twenty years, and will be found not to vary far 
from the truth. 

The kind indulgence of the candid reader is solicited, 
\ not doubting that its numerous errors and faults will be 
t a secondary consideration. 

M. DA KIN. 
Monterey, Nov. 1847. 



MONTEREY 



THE MOUNTAIN CITY 



The district of country known by the name of Mon- 
tery, is in the southern part of the county of Waldo, 
Maine. 

Boundaries and Extent. 

It is bounded on the east and southeast by Penobscot 
Bay ; and on all other sides, by a range of mountains, 
which, with the ocean boundary, describe an elipsis, or 
oval. The longest diameter extending in a northeast 
and southwest direction, about twelve miles; the shortest 
diameter, intersecting the other at right angles, and 
extending eight miles. The whole containing 100 
square miles. 

Basin of Monterey. 

This is a tract of land enclosed on all sides by a range 
of mountains, and is ten miles long and six wide. 
These mountains vary in height, from 1000 to 1400 
feet ; and on account of their so completely enclosing 
the valley, at their base, have been denominated " the 
City Walls." 

2 



6 MONTEREY , 

Geological Features. 

The whole district rests on an immense bed of lime- 
stone : above this, is a stratum of granite and iron stone, 
with an occasional intermixture of slate : above this, is 
the natural soil, which is, in all cases, alluvial, and con- 
sists, principally, of calcareous earth, afumen and silex. 

Wherever the surface of the earth has been penetrated 
to a sufficient depth, the same kind of rock which forms 
a covering to the lime deposite, is invariably found. 
From this fact, the conclusion is irresistible, that the 
whole of the basin, bottom and sides, was, at some very 
remote period of the earth's existence, solid rock, with-* 
out any covering of earth, and submerged by the ocean. 

During the next great revolution, the bottom and 
sides of the basin must have received their covering of 
earth, which, on account of their great depth, in some 
places, must have taken a vast length of time. After 
this formation was completed, the waters, during another 
great revolution, must have gradually retired, allowing 
the tops of the mountains first to appear above their 
surface, leaving the whole basin in the form of a Take. 
Some time during this period, there must, in all proba- 
bility, have been a convulsion in the earth, sufficient to 
yend asunder the mountains, from their summits to their! 
base, by which a channel has been opened for the escape 
of the waters ; thus leaving the basin in its present form. 

The geologist may find, in this region, the most in- 
contestable evidences of the correctness of his theories, 
with regard to the formation of the earth, and the vari- 
ous animals which dwell on its surface. 

According to these testimonials, which speak to him a 
language not to be misunderstood, the earth must have 
been, at least, three times submerged by the ocean, and 
the waters must, as many times, have receded, leaving 
its surface, at fast, in a fit condition to be inhabited by 
man. 






OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 1 

Natural Scenery. 

But few places in the United States can boast a more 
pleasing variety of scenery ; and to him who has an eye 
to behold, and a soul to admire the handiworks of the 
Great Creator, this region, in the summer months, pre- 
sents a most inviting appearance. 

When the traveller, for the first time, ascends the city 
walls, and takes a view of the valley which they enclose, 
he cannot help exclaiming within himself, though "man 
has made the city, God, indeed, has made the country. }J 

Among the first objects which attract his attention 
are those vast piles of granite, which seem to have been 
thrown up by the Supreme Architect of the Universe, 
and to have been clothed with a garment of living 
green, expressly for the benefit of man. When he turns 
bis eyes to the valley, which is here spread out at his 
feet, he notices, first, the four glassy lakes, whose waters 
ire so still and quiet, that, in a clear day, they reflect 
)ack to the eye of the beholder, the trees, mountains, 
ind hills which surround them. These lakes, in connex- 
on with the green fields, the woods, and the numerous 
:levations of land, form a landscape which no language 
can describe, and no pencil, in however skilful hands, 
^an transfer to canvas. 

City Walls. 
To the chain of mountains, denominated the city 
walls, have been given the following names : — Tremont, 
Ida, Searsmont, Belmont, Buena Vista, Caledonia, Car- 
mel, Megunticook. 

Subdivisions. 
The principal names have been subdivided as follows^ 
to apply to as many elevations of land. 
f Hodgman, 
Tremont,^ Hosmer, 
^Barrett. 



g MONTEREY 5 

f Athearn, 
Searsmont, <J Fletcher, 
^ Moody. 

~ (Thomas, 

Belmont,^ Da , ey 

["Washington, 
J Addams, 
Buena Vista. ^ Jefferson, 
I Madison, 
I^Munroe. 

{Chapel, 
Church ' 
Tower/ 
The most favorable positions for viewing the basin, 
the surrounding country, Penobscot Bay and its Islands, 
are Tremont, Ida, Buena Vista, the Temple or the Tower. 
For a view of the basin, in connexion with the bay and 
islands, the Tower or Tremont are decidedly the best. 

View from the Tower. 

From this point, the bay, with its 100 islands, and the 
surrounding country, appear to the best advantage. 

In addition to the numerous islands, which appear to 
be almost at the observer's feet, he may sometimes 
count five hundred sail of vessels. Vinalhaven, with 
its thoroughfare, and other fine harbors, although distant 
fourteen miles, appears as distinct, as objects in other 
locations, not more than three miles from the place of 
observation. 

The view of Islesborough is still more pleasing than 
that of Vinalhaven,— it being much nearer. Its harbor, 
one of the best in the world, its numerous small bays 
and inlets, its elevations of land, its beautiful fields and 
oroves, cannot fail to excite the wonder and admiration 
of the most indifferent observer. 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 9 

A little farther to the eastward, Deer Island and Isle 
au Haut, seem to rise from the midst of the 'surround- 
ing waters ; beyond which, are Blue Hill, Eden, and 
Mt. Desert. To the north, are the highlands on the 
Penobscot River, and the beautiful villages of Castine, 
Searsport, and Belfast ; while Mt. Catahdn, distant about 
one hundred miles, with his snow-crowned summit, is 
occasionally visible. To the westward appear the high 
lands between the Kennebec and Penobscot, with their 
cultivated fields and noble forests, extending quite to 
their summits. When the line of vision is extended 
still farther, it meets the lofty mountains of Dixfield, 
and the region south of the Androscoggin River, distant 
more than seventy miles. The White Hills of New 
Hampshire, though distant more than a hundred miles, 
are plain to be seen when the horizon is unobstructed 
by clouds. 

On the top of this mountain are two objects which 
^should not be passed by without notice, viz : the Arm 
Chair and the Sofa. 

The Arm Chair, at a small distance from the moun- 
tain, bears some resemblance to the old-fashioned semi- 
circular chair of that name, and is formed by a remark- 
able projection of rock. The Sofa is another projection, 
a little longer but not so prominent. These are about 
1350 feet above the level of the sea. 

The mountain, at this place, rises about 1000 feet 
above the table land below ; and the acclivity is here so 
steep, that there is no object on which the eye can rest, 
till it meets the bottom of what appears like some ter- 
rific gulf, ready to hide him, forever, from the view of 
mortals. Should curiosity tempt him to view the awful 
chasm below, he involuntarily falls on his knees, and 
then extends himself at full length ; but even in this 
position, a very few minutes are sufficient to satisfy him ; 
the prospect seems to chill him with horror, and he turns 
from it to others which are more agreeable. 



] MONTEREY ; 

Among the thousands who will, probably, visit this 
place, but few will be disposed to take a seat in the 
Arm Chair, or recline upon the Sofa. 

Mountain Highway. 

Most of the mountains, which form the city walls, 
have decent roads, extending nearly to their tops. Buena 
Vista has a good road, by which horses and carriages 
may go with perfect safety to its summit, about 1000 
feet above the level of the sea; and another might easily 
be made from this to each of the others, which form the 
range, viz: Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Munroe. 

On the tops of these mountains, is found some of the 
best pasture land in the State ; and the various produc- 
tions which thrive in any part of the county of Waldo, 
yield the husbandman a handsome reward for his labor. 

On no part of the city walls is the prospect more 
agreeable. The eye takes in, at one view, a horizon 
nearly one hundred miles in diameter: and in addition 
to a fine view of a part of Penobscot Bay, has a most 
enchanting prospect of the surrounding country. 

South Megunticook Mountain. 

The limits of this little volume will not admit of a full 
description of every object worthy of notice on and 
about this mountain. A brief account of Megunticook 
Road, the Monument, and Monument Pass, must suf- 
fice. 

Megunticook Road. 

This road runs near the base of the mountain, which 
appears, in this place, to be an immense pile of rocks of 
all shapes and sizes, which have been detached from 
the mountain by the action of frost and other powerful 
agents, and which seem to threaten the traveller with 
death, in one of its most appalling forms. On his left, 
is a large cemetery, the final resting place of the dead ; 






OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. \{ 

which, in connexion with the dangers which threaten 
him on the right, cannot fail to remind him of his own 
mortality, and the stupendous power as well as mercy 
of that Being, through whose agency this massy pile of 
granite was thrown up, and through whose protecting 
care he is permitted to pass uninjured. 

The Monument is an immense precipice of granite, 
which rises from the shore of Megunticook Lake, by an 
almost perpendicular ascent, to the height of seven hun- 
dred feet. A view of the lake from this place is calcu- 
lated to send a thrill of horror through the veins and 
nerves of every beholder; and but few can be found of 
sufficient courage to stand on the edge of the precipice, 
and look down on the surface of the lake below. 

The Monument Pass is a narrow defile one mile in 
length, running between the monument and the lake. 
There is barely sufficient room for a road, and in many 
places it is impossible for two carriages to pass each other. 

The face of the Monument bears evident marks of 
having been disjoined from a similar mass of rock at the 
bottom of the lake. The awful dynamicks which were 
employed by Deity to effect this change, were, no 
doubt, put in exercise long before man had a being on 
the earth ; or, perhaps, before the existence of any of 
the animals which now inhabit its surface. 

When the lover of nature views, for the first time, 
the evidences of the stupendous and awful power of 
that Supreme Intelligence which pervades the universe, 
he is led to exclaim, "What is man that thou art mindful 
of him, or the son of man that thou shouldst visit him ?" 

He here beholds on his right the monument, the base 
of which extends about a mile. The whole vast struct- 
ure appears ready to fall and sink him into annihilation 
in a moment. The immense masses, which have here 
been detached from the body of the mountain, form a 
pile which extends nearly half way to the top, and seem 
as if the least jar, occasioned by the motion of the car- 



12 MONTEREY ; 

riage, might cause them to roll from their places, and 
bury the passenger, with his horse and carriage, in the 
same grave. 

Mount Ida. 

This mountain is about 1300 feet high, and from its 
top is a fine view of the basin, its hills, valleys, and lakes ; 
the high lands west of Kennebec River, and the White 
Hills of New Hampshire. 

To sum up in a few words, what might fill a volume, 
on the subject of mountain scenery ; it may be said, 
that the view from Mt. Ida is pleasing and delightful ; 
from Buena Vista, enchanting and beautiful ; from Tre- 
mont, or the Temple, romantic and sublime ; from the 
Monument, chilling and terrific ; and from the Tower, 
transporting, grand, and awful ! 

Hills. 

Idalia, Olivannah, Prospect, Pavillion, Chapel, Ulmer, 
West Megunah, East Megunah, and Observatory. 
These hills afford fine pasturage, much excellent land 
for tillage ; and from their sides flow springs, in abund- 
ance, of living and pure water. 

Lakes. 
Idalia, Megunticook, Megunah and Monterey. One 
remarkable feature in these lakes, is the clearness and 
purity of their waters. They abound in fish, and serve 
as reservoirs for the water, which is destined, at no dis- 
tant da\v to put in motion an immense amount of ma- 
chinery. A farther description will be given under the 
head of manufactorers. 

Rivers and Streams of Water. 

Idalia, Olivannah, Carll, Hodgman, Tyber, Tremont, 
Lygonia, Juliannah, Monogashua, Megunah, Monterey, 
Tower, Chapel, Miller. 



I 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 13 

Falls. 

The Falls of Idalia, to the naturalist, and the manu- 
facturer, with a small capital, are objects of great inter- 
est. The stream, in this place, makes its way through 
a bed of solid rock, in a channel about fifteen feet wide, 
and from ten to fifteen feet deep. The ledge here was 
evidently torn asunder by a violent convulsion, thus 
affording a passage for the water and a very secure 
foundation for dams, which may be built at a trifling 
expense. 

Falls of Monterey, at Table Rock. 

At this place, the man of wealth might, with a small 
expenditure of his surplus money, enjoy a Niagara at 
his own expense ; and the rich manufacturing company, 
a water privilege not surpassed by any stream of its 
size in the world. But the fall must be the handiwork 
of man. 

A dam of stone, thirty-five feet high might be built, 
of sufficient strength to withstand the force of the cur- 
rent for thousands of years, for $3000; and it might be 
extended to any height, not exceeding 200 feet; having 
a ledge of granite for the foundation, and two moun- 
tains, of the same material, for the abutments. 

Villages. 

Camden, South Camden, Rock Island, Idalia, Lygo- 
nia, Megunah, Monterey, Caledonia, (including the 
Caledonia mountains and district,) Lincolnville and 
Tremont. 

South Camden is very advantageously situated for 
commercial business, and for ship building. It has an 
excellent harbor, which is sheltered from the ocean 
storms by lofty hills, where vessels of the largest size 
lay in safety. Its facilities for burning lime are very 

great, and will, at some future day, be well improved. 

2* 



14 MONTEREY ; 

Tremont River here discharges itself into the ocean, 
and affords a very good water power, and could be 
made to carry a large amount of machinery. A fall of 
thirty-five feet might easily be obtained. 

Camden. This village is very beautifully situated, in 
a semilunar form, on the shore of Penobscot Bay. Its 
harbor is not quite so good as South Camden, but might 
be made sufficiently capacious and secure to accommo- 
date the shipping of a large city. Its advantages for 
manufacturing establishments are superior to those of 
any other place within the district ; which will be farther 
spoken of under the head of water power. 

Rock Island is the name of a village adjoining Cam- 
den, but much larger in point of territory, and destined 
to become a large manufacturing village. It is, as yet, 
but partially settled. 

Idalia is a small village situated in Hope, and sur- 
rounded by a good tract of agricultural land. Agricul- 
ture will be, for years to come, its chief source of wealth. 

Lygonia, situated near the centre of the town of Lin- 
colnville, is a good agricultural region, and will also, at 
some future period, derive important advantages from 
its fine quarries of limerock. 

Megunah, situated at the foot of Megunah Lake; 
where it enjoys the advantage of a good water power, 
though not constant through the year. A good quarry 
of limestone is near them, and will be a sure source of 
income to the inhabitants; it being but two miles from 
tide water, and on a good road. 

Monterey is situated at the oultet of Lake Monterey, 
with a good water power, and abundance of good land 
in its vicinity. 

Caledonia, including the Caledonia Mountains and 
Caledonia District, is situated on Lake Montery, and 
within the town of Northport. Its mountains are sus- 
ceptible of cultivation to their summits. It abounds in 
good springs and romantic scenery. It is settled by a 
healthy, industrious, and thriving population. 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 15 

Lincolnville, advantageously situated on the Penob- 
scot Bay, is destined to become a large commercial and 
manufacturing village. Its harbor might be made as 
good as any one on the western side of the bay. Its 
water power is abundant, and cannot fail to be improved. 

Having taken a running view of the principal villages, 
some observations will now follow upon the soil, climate, 
inhabitants, professions, institutions for religious, moral, 
and literary improvements throughout the whole district. 

Number of Inhabitants. 

The number of inhabitants will fall but little if any 
short of six thousand ; they came, originally, mostly from 
the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 

Coming from a country abounding with houses of 
public worship, among the first things done, after build- 
ing a temporary house to accommodate their families, 
they proceeded to erect the house of prayer and praise, 
in which to offer up their adorations to God, and invoke 
his protecting care over them and their children. Al- 
though these houses were not so costly as those built at 
the present day, in no modern built house is so costly a 
sacrifice offered up, as was offered by the first settlers of 
this, their wilderness home, when clad in their home- 
spun garments, they assembled, and gave to God all 
they had to give, a pure, sincere, and honest heart. 

Houses of Public Worship. 

There are nine houses of worship. One for Congre- 
gationalists ; two for Methodists ; one for Baptists ; two 
for Universalists ; and three, that are free for all denom- 
inations. 

Religious Societies. 

One Congregationalist ; four Baptist ; two Metho- 
dist ; two Universalist ; one seceding Universalist, and 
one Free Baptist. These societies all maintain a 



16 MONTEREY; 

preacher part of the time, and the most of them every 
Sabbath. 

Attorneys and Counsellors at Law. 

There are four lawyers, who will compare well, in 
point of intelligence and legal attainments, with other 
members of the profession in the State. 

Medical Profession. 

The number of those engaged in efforts to heal the 
various diseases incident to man, is ten. They, perhaps, 
are as successful in waging war with the grim monster, 
Death, as the same number in other sections of New 
England. 

Sabbath Schools. 

Number of Sabbath schools, ten. Number of scholars, 
four hundred. 

Schoolhouses. 

Number of schoolhouses, twenty-eight. Number of 
scholars usually attending school, eleven hundred. 
Average number who do not attend, two hundred. 
Average length of time during which the schools are 
taught, six months in the year. 

Number of select schools, in which the higher 
branches of literature are taught, and scholars fitted for 
college, three. 

Number of social libraries, two. Number of volumes, 
six hundred. 

Number of private libraries, twenty. Number of 
volumes, one thousand. 

Number of stores, thirty-six. 

Manufactories and Mechanic Arts. 

There is one block factory, one oakum factory, one 
woollen factory, one tannery, one clothing mill, five saw 
mills, six grist mills, five flour mills, twelve blacksmith's 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 17 

shops, twelve joiner's shops, five stave and shingle mills, 
two shops for the manufacture of tin ware, five tailor's 
shops, and one baker's shop. A large number of the 
establishments, requiring the aid of water power, are 
situated in the flourishing village of Camden. 

Soil and Climate. 

The soil is, in general, better than that which is 
found from thirty to forty miles back of Boston, and in 
the adjoining State of New Hampshire. The climate 
is more favorable to health. The winters may be a 
little colder than in Massachusetts ; spring is generally 
seven or eight days later, but the frosts, in the fall, do 
not make their appearance sooner than in the western 
part of Massachusetts and in New Hampshire. 

Prices of Land. 

These will vary according to the location. Good 
farming land may be obtained at about ten dollars per 
acre, exclusive of buildings. Lands covered with a 
thick growth of wood, or valuable lumber, will come 
much higher. Building lots, in the large villages, from 
one to two hundred dollars per acre; in the small vil- 
lages, from twenty-five to fifty dollars. 

Commercial Advantages. 

The district borders on the Penobscot Bay for about 
twelve miles. The whole of this bay affords a safe 
anchorage for vessels in good weather; and, in storms, 
the harbors of Camden, Lincolnville, Vinalhaven, and 
Islesborough, are within reach and are accessible at all 
seasons of the year. Lime constitutes an important 
article of export, to which may be added wood, lumber, 
cattle, horses, sheep, butter, cheese, hay, fish, &c. 



1 9 MONTEREY ; 

Incorporated Companies. 

There is one bank with a capital of fifty thousand 
dollars ; one manufacturing company, with a capital of 
fifty thousand dollars, to which, probably, will be added 
one or two more in the course of another year. 

Water Power and Manufacturing Advantages. 

The immense water power of the district is very im- 
perfectly estimated by those who reside in the immediate 
vicinity, and not at all by people at a distance. 

The principal sources of this, are to be found on the 
Megunticook and Monterey Rivers ; which, to say 
nothing of their numerous tributaries, is sufficient to 
carry one hundred and fifty thousand spindles. 

Megunticook River. 

This river takes its rise in Megunticook Lake, a little 
over two miles from Camden village, and passing through 
Rock Island village and Camden, falls into the ocean. 

From the surface of the lake to high-water mark, at 
the mouth of the river, is a fall of two hundred feet. 
Within the distance of two miles are seven locations for 
building dams and factories ; and at all of these a fall 
of twelve feet may be obtained, and at three, a fall of 
twenty-two feet. 

The fall, at the mouth of the stream, is the best loca- 
tion for a factory, as the buildings may be extended far 
enough to admit of vessels landing their cargoes within 
the store-rooms. Should a greater fall be desirable, 
thirty-five feet might be obtained by taking the water 
from the stream a little higher up. Dams may be built 
and maintained, on any part of the river, at a very 
moderate expense. 

Building materials, such as granite and brick, are very 
abundant, and may be procured within a small distance ; 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 19 

and Bangor, the great lumber mart of the State, is within 
six hours sail of the landing. 

Steamboats are running every day between Bangor 
and Boston, touching at this place. In no part of the 
world can the business of manufacturing be carried on 
any cheaper than here. 

From the foot of the lake to the mouth of the river, 
the power is sufficient to carry seventy-five thousand 
spindles, with a corresponding number of looms. At 
the foot of the lake is a line chance for building dams, 
and no risk of their being carried away by freshets. 
The foundation and abutments for the dams, and the 
locations for the buildings, are solid rock. 

Megunticook Lake. 

Some description of this lake may be necessary, in 
order the better to understand the extent of the water 
power below. This lake contains about three thousand 
acres; — from which, deduct eight hundred acres for 
islands and peninsulas, and there remain twenty-two 
hundred acres of water. Its tributary streams, are the 
following, viz : Hodgman, Carll, Idalia, Olivannah, Ju- 
liannah, Lygonia, with some others not mentioned. 
These streams, taken together, afford an immense sup- 
ply* of water. On most of them are mills of some kind, 
and there is water sufficient for a great many more. 

Monterey River. 

The middle branch of this river arises from Mono- 
gashua Lake, in the town of Belmont, a most beautiful 
sheet of water, containing one thousand acres, and is 
three miles north of the city walls. Four miles from 
its source it receives Megunah River; a stream, one 
branch of which takes its rise near the Megunah Hills, 
and the other, from Megunah Lake, which contains six 
hundred acres. 



20 MONTEREY ; 

One mile lower down, it receives the waters of Lake 
Monterey, the area of which is twelve hundred acres. 
From this place, it runs, in nearly a straight course, one 
mile ; and then, by a singular freak of nature, the cause 
of which cannot be very satisfactorily explained, it bends 
alternately to the right and left, at nearly right angles. 
These angles are found, every forty or fifty rods, for the 
distance of a mile, where the river falls into the bovver, 
a small inlet of the sea. 

The banks of this river, for the first two miles, are 
abrupt and precipitous, and composed, mostly, of granite 
and iron stone ; thus affording a most secure foundation 
for dams. The river, in its descent from Lake Monte- 
rey, falls four hundred and fifty feet in the course of 
three miles. 

The power on this river, if rightly managed, is amply 
sufficient for seventy-five thousand spindles, within the 
distance of two miles from its mouth. 

By building a dam at Table Rock, and taking the 
water from thence in a canal, to some point in or near 
the bower, any amount of fall might be obtained, short 
of a hundred feet. A dam at the rock, (which is about 
forty rods from high water mark,) if thirty feet high, 
would give a fall of forty-two feet. 

The factory buildings might project any desirable dis- 
tance into the bay, thus giving a fine opportunity for 
the approach of vessels, for the purpose of loading and 
unloading. 

A steamboat wharf is to be built, next season, near 
this spot, which is the best steamboat landing on the bay. 

Brick of good quality, and in great abundance, can 
be manufactured on the spot ; and granite, (should it be 
thought advisable to build with that.) can be obtained 
at a very reasonable rate ; thougli not, probably, so 
cheap as at Camden. 

Next to Megunticook, this is the best water power to 
be found, so near tide water, within the distance of a 
hundred miles 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 21 

Comparative advantages of Lincolnville and Camden 
for the location of Manufacturing establishments. 

Lincolnville is situated seven miles farther up the 
bay, where the distance, from thence to Islesborough, 
is but four miles, affording a more convenient and safe 
anchorage for vessels ; and, in addition to this, Isles- 
borough harbor is distant only four miles, where, in vio- 
lent storms and gales of wind, vessels find one of the 
most secure and safe harbors in the world. 

By the construction of suitable piers, which may here 
very easily be done, the usual anchorage for vessels may 
be made safe. And when this is done, the harbor will 
be sufficiently capacious and secure, at all seasons of the 
year. 

Land, in the village, bears nearly the same price as at 
Camden ; but a little back from the village, it is much 
cheaper. The Kings Pasture, and the Kings Forest, 
include a large tract ; some of which is excellent land. 
East of Megunah Lake, and on Megunah River, is 
another ; most of which is as good as can be found 
within the district. The intervale lands on the Megu- 
nah and Monogashua Rivers, are as good as can be 
found in the State. The land, at these five locations, 
amounts to nearly four thousand acres; which have 
never yet been settled ; most of which is covered with a 
fine growth of wood and timber ; such as spruce, hem- 
lock, cedar, fir, and pine. The timber lands, with such 
as are covered with a good growth of hard wood, vary 
in price from ten to thirty dollars per acre ; other kinds 
of land, from five to ten dollars per acre. 

At Camden, good building lots, very pleasantly situ- 
ated, and good chances for procuring water that is pure 
and good, either from springs or wells, may be pur- 
chased for one hundred dollars a piece. This village is 
most delightfully situated, and might, by a little expense, 
have as good a harbor as could be desired. Its wharves, 
3* 



22 MONTEREY ; 

for the landing of steamboats, are very convenient, 
Here are four houses of worship, viz : one for Congre- 
gationalists, one for Baptists, one for Methodists, and 
one for Universalists. It has one select school, and four 
district schools. 

The inhabitants of this village came originally from 
Massachusetts and New Ipswich, and other towns in 
New Hampshire, and brought with them that love of 
religion, order and morality, and those industrious habits 
which so eminently characterize the people from whence 
they came. 

At Rock Island village, which is in immediate prox- 
imity to Camden, land, in abundance, can be obtained, 
varying in prices, from twelve to twenty dollars per 
acre, exclusive of buildings. On the east side of the 
Megunticook stream, abundance of good water can be 
procured, either from wells, or from living springs, 
which flow from Megunticook mountain. The Tyber, 
also, a fine stream of pure water, proceeds from the 
same source, and passes through the centre of the village. 

On the west side of the stream, good water can be 
procured from the beautiful hills which rise, in a gentle 
slope, from the banks of the river, and afford some of 
the best building lots to be found in Camden. 

No finer reservoir of water can be found in the world 
than Megunticook Lake. Nature here, or rather the 
God of Nature, in a most wonderful manner, has con- 
structed a canal ; erected a dam, with foundations and 
abutments, solid as the everlasting mountains; and 
which can never be moved, but by the same power 
which spoke them into existence. 

The number of acres in this reservoir, is not so great 
as the three which supply the Monterey. But by erect- 
ing dams at the foot of Juliannah and Lygonia ponds, 
adding two feet more to the top of the dam at the foot 
of the lake, and deepening the channel at the outlet 
three feet, all of which may easily be done, there can 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 23 

never be any lack of water, even in a season as dry as 
the last ; another of which will not be likely to happen 
for fifty years to come. 

At Lincolnville, and Camden both, in order to use 
the water power to its greatest extent, something must 
be paid for flowage ; probably nearly as much at one 
place as the other. 

Railroad. 

It is in contemplation to construct a railroad from 
Belfast to Waterville. Should this be done, a brancli 
must soon follow, through Monterey to East and West 
Thomaston. 

But this road is not the best, for several reasons. 
1st. A shorter, and less expensive one can be found. 
2d. The business of this region will demand a road in 
another place. 3d. No advantages of intercommunica- 
tion can possibly force business from a natural channel, 
to one which is unnatural. 

The towns of Lincolnville, Camden, Thomaston, 
Warren, Union, Appleton, and Searsmont, in addition 
to their agricultural resources, are destined to become 
both commercial and manufacturing towns. Their ad- 
vantages for the latter pursuit no one will pretend to 
question. A railroad, if built, might take Belfast for a 
starting point, and should pass through the low lands in 
Waldo, and Belmont, to the eastward of Quantabacook 
Lake, through Searsmont village ; thence through the 
westerly part of Appleton, through Washington, a part 
of Waldoborough, to Damariscotta Lake; thence through 
Alna, or Whitefield, and strike the Kennebec River at 
some convenient point between Dresden and Augusta. 
In this route, it would accommodate the manufacturing 
establishments at Searsmont, and a branch might diverge 
to the villages of Waldoborough and Damariscotta. At 
no distant day, the water privileges in Alna and White- 
field, will be occupied. A branch of this road should 



24 MONTEREY ; 

run through Monterey village, near the outlet of the; 
lake; thence to the westward of Megunah Lake, where 
there is a very good water power, and limerock of the 
best quality and inexhaustible quantities ; near this 
place a branch would go to tide-water at French's 
Beach, distant two miles. The main branch should 
then run to the northward of Megunah Lake, to the 
great limerock region in Lygonia village ; which is situ- 
ated at the head of Megunticook Lake ; thence follow- 
ing the shore of the lake across Furnald's neck to the 
T ; from thence by a bridge, forty rods, to the main 
land, near the foot of the lake ; thence through Rock 
Island village, throughCamden village, and South Cam- 
den, to Blackinton's Corner, in Thomaston ; where it 
would give a branch to East Thomaston, and continue 
on to West Thomaston , thence to Warren ; from 
Warren through Union and Appleton ; and intersect 
the Kennebec road at Searsmont. 

A road built in this direction, would accommodate a 
portion of the State which is destined to do an immense 
business. The stock would be speedily taken up, and 
would yield a handsome profit. 

The Waterville route must lead through a region 
whose resources are, principally, agricultural ; but these, 
though ever so good, will hardly warrant the construction 
of a railroad, unless it should be connected with the 
business towns in the county of Waldo and Lincoln. 
That a road will be built, some where, to connect these 
towns with the great thoroughfare leading from Boston 
to the eastern part of the State, no one, who is qualified 
to judge, can doubt ; and should the Waterville road 
go into operation, it is very probable that another would 
be built; thus cutting oft one of its chief sources of 
profit, and rendering the stock nearly valueless. 

The subject is one of vast importance to the inhabit- 
ants, both of Lincoln and Waldo ; and before any move- 



OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 25 

ment is made towards constructing the road, should be 
thoroughly examined and well understood. 

Thomaston, South Camden, Camden village and Lin- 
colnville, cannot fail to attract the notice of the scientific 
and practical engineer, as convenient termini for the 
iron bands which will soon be extended to this region 
of the counties of Waldo and Lincoln, and connect them 
with Canada, the Western States, and the Atlantic 
cities. 

At each of these places good and safe harbors could 
be made, and will be made, when called for ; but, pro- 
bably, none will be found so convenient, all things con- 
sidered, as Lincolnville. Pleasant Point, near French's 
Beach, would be a very good terminus. From this 
place to the Kennebec River, the distance is but 
thirty-six miles. Mineral Point, also, half a mile 
farther up the bay, would be very convenient ; at each 
of these places good piers could be extended into the 
bay any desirable distance, without being exposed to 
the current. From these places to Silver Lake, (Long- 
Island,) the distance is but four miles, where is one of 
the best harbors in the United States, and easy of 
ingress and egress at all seasons of the year. From this 
place, is the easiest communication to the islands of the 
bay, which contain nearly six thousand inhabitants ; 
who, with those of the adjacent islands and villages, 
make a population of nearly fifteen thousand ; most of 
whom would make this their principal place of business. 
A steamboat will soon be put into operation, connecting 
these towns and villages with Camden and Lincolnville. 

By the accession of this number of inhabitants, (most 
of whom are industrious and enterprising,) the business 
of a railroad would be much increased, and the towns 
of Lincolnville and Camden, so far as business and 
social intercourse are concerned, would add to their 
present number the whole of these communities, who 
are noted for their morality, good^order, and intelligence. 



26 



MONTEREY ; OR, THE MOUNTAIN CITY. 



When the Montreal road is finished, and another 
connecting Penobscot Bay with the Kennebec, thos* 
who are travelling in pursuit of health, or pleasure, wil 
find this a most desirable route. Taking the boat fol> 
this place, the cars to Montreal, thence to the Falls, and 
through Saratoga, to Boston, New York, Philadelphia^ 
or any of the more southern Atlantic cities, 




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